how should I combine this gang of chidren??????

[learning6]

This year I have a 9 year old doing PHFHG, 6 and 7 year old are doing Sonlight core K (previously purchased program), 4 year old is doing LHTH, and 22 month old twins are on a seek and destroy mission!!!! I know, know, know we are missing out on some good quality learning together because everything is so hurry, hurry, hurry all of the time. I tried combining first and second child before using above mentioned Sonlight program and it was just not a good fit. Second and third child fit together so much nicer. So I thought, but now that we are trying to do our own programs no body is happy about doing school and I feel maybe I should combine these three oldest children together. My question is what HOD program will work??? Nine year old is done with phonics and is working on Rod and Staff's English 3 text and Horizons math 3 and cursive handwriting. Seven year old struggles with learning. She is not going to be done with phonics until next year, may or may not start cursive handwriting this year, and is in Horizons math level 1. Six year old is in his first year of phonics, and Horizons math K and still learning how to print. I do not want to switch programs this year on account of already spening the allotment on school for one school year already. I will just have to buckle down, say my prayers and get 'er done, but learning from this for next year, How can these level be combined 2010 - 2011 school year so that there is more peace to our home? Thanks so very much

learning 6
daughters 9 and 7
Sons 6 and 4 and 22 month old twins

[water2wine]

I am not sure you can get them all combined. But I will say this I have six from 5-12 and I have tried combining them in a one size fits all and definitely it was more work than doing three levels of HOD. It just takes too much work to actually make a one size fits all work and still have it where you are meeting all their needs at their level. I would just take a look at the placement chart and go with the best fit. If a few are close together you can combine those pretty well. I found last year that 2 years apart works pretty well to combine and when we got to three it was harder. But even if you can't combine them all HOD will still bring you peace.

Praying you find the best fit for your family!

[8arrows]

If you want to combine, I think Bigger looks like the best fit for next year. Your oldest would need the extensions.

[lovetobehome]

My 9yo is using Bigger with extensions, and my 7yo is using Bigger as written. My 9yo fit into Preparing, and my 7yo into Beyond, but I chose to use one program. Bigger was in between. Bigger is working well, because of the extensions. I think it might be a tad over the 6yo's level, but still they will get a lot out of it. My kids love learning the verses together, and they do all the history/art/science projects together and itis really good bonding time for them. The younger one looks to the older one for some guidance as she does the projects, and I think that is neat! He gently helps her, and they get along well (while doin g the assignments). They have different math, english, and spelling levels.
I require less of the 7yo, obviously. But BIGGER is very easy to tweak....require a bit less reading/writing for one, and add a bit more for another.
If I were in your shoes, I would try Bigger for all. Especially with the twins in tow! You need simplicity!

[juliekay]

Hello! I agree with the above posts and recommend that you try Bigger next year for all. Our first HOD experience was last year with Bigger. The children in my household using the program were: 11.5, 10.5, 7 while my baby and toddler "hung" out! It worked out wonderfully!

[water2wine]

Actually I would agree too that if you are going to combine Bigger is the best bet. It is very flexible and I will say that my then 6 year old sat in a lot on Bigger. I don't think she got all of it but she did listen a lot. Hope you find the best plan for your family!

[learning6]

I was leaning toward bigger and I thank everybody for their advice. I was worried about back tracking from preparing to bigger, but getting other' s opinions really has helped. Thanks everyone.

[my3sons]

I was leaning toward bigger and I thank everybody for their advice. I was worried about back tracking from preparing to bigger, but getting other' s opinions really has helped. Thanks everyone.

I think I'd try all 3 in BHFHG and see how it goes. If you start with BHFHG, and begin thinking your oldest needs more and would benefit from her own program, you could then move her into CTC instead. CTC is more independent than PHFHG. If she does well with PHFHG, she would do fine with CTC. If you train her to use the manual herself, and only help her with her "I" independent boxes of the CTC plans, you will find it quite easy to get your teaching time in. However, I agree with all of the rest of the ladies' wise advice - if you want to combine, Bigger Hearts will be your best bet, and I would guess that would work very well overall. I just thought I'd give you a "Plan B" scenario to put in your back pocket in case you feel your oldest needs more when you begin BHFHG. I agree with water2wine, if you are going to be doing a whole lot of tweaking, it's far easier usually to just do a different program that child fits more squarely in.

In Christ,
Julie